The changes Ange should make to the starting XI for the trip to AFC Bournemouth
By Tom Vinall
4) Dominic Solanke for Timo Werner
On Sunday afternoon, we once again saw Spurs fail to build on a good result in the Premier League, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With all due respect to Fulham, you don’t draw to them at home and make no changes to the side. But which changes should Ange make for the side to face AFC Bournemouth on Thursday?
Ange has said that he expects Solanke to be ready for this game, having missed the Fulham game with illness, so that is what we are going with here. As a result, one of the forwards from Sunday has to come out. Of course, it can’t be Johnson with the goal threat he has.
Honestly, and imagine saying this six weeks ago… this one does feel a little harsh on Werner. The forward was far from the worst player against Fulham. His good work set up a good chance for Heung-Min Son in the first minute of the game, and he then provided an excellent assist for Brennan Johnson’s goal.
As crazy as it sounds to say, you can make a case for starting him over the skipper on the left hand side. However, you do have to back Son to come back into form. Furthermore, on a smaller pitch like Bournemouth’s, the joy that Werner could have might be harder to come by, with less space to run into.
Whilst Bournemouth do like to get in your faces, they average the third lowest possession in the league, and are happy to sit in when it is necessary. Although Son is criticised for his level against teams that are sitting deep, you would bank on him scoring from the edge of the box, or playing a threaded pass more than you would with Werner.
Against a slower, older defender, in former Spurs academy player Adam Smith, it could be a game for Son to get joy in, too. With Solanke expected to come back in against his former club, after balancing things up, Son off the left hand side feels like the play. However, if it is Werner - that would a fair selection too.
The XI Ange should use against AFC Bournemouth; Forster; Spence, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son.
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